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University of Plymouth

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

School of Art, Design and Architecture

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying

Definitive Document Approved: 3.5.18

Approved by Minor Change: 5.12.18

Implementation Date: September 2019

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1. BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying

Final award title Level H

BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying

Intermediate award title(s) Level I

BSc Quantity Surveying (on satisfactory completion of 80 Stage 3 credits) Diploma of Higher Education (on satisfactory completion of Stage 2)

Intermediate award title(s) Level C

Certificate of Higher Education (on satisfactory completion of Stage 1)

Awarding institution University of Plymouth

Teaching institution University of Plymouth

Accrediting body Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

Appropriate benchmark(s) Built Environment; Building

UCAS code K240

JACS code K240 / (100217) quantity surveying

2. Awarding Institution: University of Plymouth

Teaching institution(s): University of Plymouth

3. Accrediting body(ies): Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS);

Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

4. Distinctive Features of the Programme and the Student Experience

4.1 Quantity Surveying at Plymouth University

The distinctive features of the BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying programme provide

students with an inspiring, enriching and professional experience, preparing them for

a successful career as graduates in the building industry.

The distinctive features of this programme focuses around the degree’s industrial

context, optional placement period and a multidisciplinary learning environment. It will

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complement existing built environment programmes and allow students to evaluate

sustainability, technology and practice on a meaningful value basis.

Applying Quantity Surveying practice and technology to building design and

construction, the programme enables learners to develop the knowledge and skills

necessary for a successful career as a quantity surveyor. The combination of lectures,

site visits, tutorials with industry partners in a multi-disciplinary environment will

prepare quantity surveying graduates with the skills and knowledge to enter many

other built environment sector including design management, design coordination,

project management, and planning.

This programme is designed around other building related programmes in the School

of Art, Design and Architecture, including BSc (Hons) Construction Management and

the Environment, BSc (Hons) Building Surveying and the Environment, BSc (Hons)

Architectural Engineering and BA (Hons) Architecture, offering a range of common

modules with these other relevant disciplines, as well as specialist modules, projects

and tailored dissertations modules.

4.2 Programme features

The programme sets out to address contemporary and future Quantity Surveying and

Built Environment challenges, building on the existing strength of the School. These

challenges would include:

Evaluation of ‘Sustainability’ on a value basis.

Ensuring the professionals responsibility to society is developed.

Create meaningful essential success factors for Clients and Projects

To create meaningful legal and commercial project structures that addresses

risk and value to all stakeholders.

Other distinctive features include:

Professional Accreditation: The course is fully accredited by the leading

professional body recognised by quantity surveyors: Royal Institution of

Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It is also accredited by the Chartered

Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

Lead the way in the industry: our course focuses on high performance and

energy efficient buildings, which will place you at the forefront of the sector

and able to embrace the trend towards stricter environmental and energy

based legislation.

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Inspiring Teaching: The programme is taught by staff with both an industry

and research background. Teaching is also supported by industry

professionals and an extensive programme of UK and international visiting

speakers.

Industry Links: The department sustains good links with many quantity

surveying consultants, architects’ practices, engineering consultants, leading

building contractors, and energy and regulatory authorities in the UK. Industry

professionals play an active role in the programme, by participating in guest

lectures, workshops and tutorials. These provide opportunities for work-

placements to individual students and future employability opportunities.

Industry placement year: Students of this programme have the opportunity to

get experience in the construction industry and increase their future

employability in the sector with a paid placement following their second year.

The optional year-long placement is with organisations ranging from

architects’ practices, engineering consultants, building contractors, and

energy and regulatory authorities in the UK or abroad and allows the students

to experience a professional environment. Students receive advice and

guidance to arrange their own placement, and support from the academic staff

to ensure that they are receiving a valuable learning opportunity.

Site visits: Off campus, students also enrich their learning through site visits.

Research-informed learning: The academic staff are also researchers,

allowing the latest research findings to be delivered directly to the students.

The research covers a broad range of specialist areas, including: building

performance analysis, energy efficient building design, construction

management, thermography and natural materials.

Multidisciplinary Learning Environment: During the degree, students from this

programme benefit from working in multidisciplinary groups with students from

other programmes in the School of Art, Design and Architecture, including

BSc (Hons) Construction Management and the Environment, BSc (Hons)

Building Surveying and the Environment, BSc (Hons) Architecture

Engineering and BA (Hons) Architecture, replicating a realistic working

environment in construction projects.

Real assessments: The course is designed to prepare students for their

future career. The assessments reflect the varied world of work, a mixture of

coursework, project work, site visit reports, examinations, and presentations.

Students work on industry led group projects with real project briefs and

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clients, and they benefit from guidance from a panel of industrial advisers,

which help them to develop the professional skills and networking necessary

to successfully progress in the sector.

4.3 Enhancing employability in Quantity Surveying

Our Quantity Surveying course works with an industrial advisory panel that actively

supports the programme and provides our students with excellent links with future

employers as well as opportunities to learn about the cutting edge of industry

practice and thinking. Other activities that will enhance students’ employability within

this course at University of Plymouth include:

One year paid industry placement in a quantity surveying practice, engineering

consultancy or construction company in the UK or abroad

Students have the opportunity to undertake an optional paid industry placement

year with a quantity surveying practice, engineering consultancy or construction

company in the UK or abroad, which occurs between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the

programme. Students seeking to undertake a placement year receive advice and

guidance to arrange their own placement, including the preparation for the

selection process and the placement itself. The academic staff (on the role of

placement tutor) provide students with support on their placement to ensure that

they are receiving a valuable learning opportunity. The Employability Service

organises pre-placement sessions timetabled in Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Careers events, where you will be able to meet and discuss careers

opportunities with future employers

Once a year the Faculty organises a Careers event, where several companies

from the building industry take part and students have the opportunity to meet

and discuss careers opportunities with future employers.

“Preparing for industry” talks by future employers

Year 2 students are visited by several employers in both disciplines who would

like to offer placements to University of Plymouth built environment students.

The Year 3 students in both courses also received visits from employers, who,

after employing previous graduates from University of Plymouth, are seeking to

recruit more.

Workshops with industry professionals and guest lectures with industry

specialists

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In every stage of the degree, students work on industry led group projects with

real project briefs and clients, and they benefit from guidance from a panel of

more than 20 industrial advisers, which help them to develop the professional

skills and networking necessary to successfully progress in the sector.

Advice with the preparation of the CV and interviews

The Employability Service, Placement Support, delivers pre-placement modules

as part of the course, offering support on preparing CV and Covering Letter and

managing the cycle for Placement/Work Based Learning activities, providing

support and guidance to the students’ individual needs. In addition to the general

support provided by the University, students have access to academic staff who,

through their professional and academic experience, have insights in to the

particular nature of future career development within the built environment

industries. This is further supplemented by links maintained with practices, and a

register of potential job opportunities.

Invitation to talks and social events by professional organisations

Students are invited to attend to events organised by professional organisations

such as Constructing Excellence South West (CESW), Royal Institution of

Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and

Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers South West (CIBSE). These

events are always an excellent opportunity for networking with professionals as

well to broaden the students’ knowledge.

5. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Group(s)

QAA benchmark statement for Land, Construction, Real estate and Surveying October

2016 is the benchmark standard for Quantity Surveying. It is a broad benchmark with

twenty-six possible outcomes. It contains generic skills and also subject specific

standards.

‘Land, Construction, Real Estate and Surveying represent major subjects involved in

this process, but it is acknowledged that professionals working in these disciplines

need to interact and work with those in related subjects, such as planners, engineers,

designers and architects. As such, a key feature of the Statement is its interdisciplinary

and multidisciplinary character. Graduates from these programmes have a good

understanding of the other subjects that support the process of planning, design,

financing, construction, development, use and management of real estate and

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infrastructure.’ We believe that the structure of our programme with its shared

modules will provide graduates to fully demonstrate this aim of the QAA benchmark.

Further information on the alignment of the BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying

programme with this benchmark can be found in Appendix C.

6. Programme Structure

The duration of the programme is either 6 semesters (3 years), or 8 semesters (4

years) if students undertake an optional industry placement year of 48 weeks, which

occurs between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the programme.

A Stage is equivalent to one year of study for a full time student. Each Stage consists

of two semesters. Students are required to complete modules amounting 60 credits

per semester, thus 120 credits in total. An outline programme structure, modules, and

credits are presented in Table 1-4.

Stage 1 (Level 4) BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying

Module

Code Module Title Credit Semester Status Assessment

BLDG406 Fundamentals of Construction 20 Semester 1

Core

Compensatable

50% Test

50% Coursework

CIVL102

Construction Materials and Site Surveying 20 Semester 1

Core

Compensatable

25% Test

75% Coursework

BLDG402 Principles of Economics and Management 20 Semester 1

Core

Compensatable

40% Test

60% Coursework

BLDG404 ICT for Architecture and Construction Projects 20 Semester 2

Core

Compensatable

100% Coursework

BLDG407 Building Physics 20 Semester 2

Core

Compensatable

50% Examination

50% Coursework

BLDG405

Built Environment Project 1 20 Semester 2

Core

Compensatable

100% Coursework

FAPY100 Stage 1 Placement Preparation

0 - N/A N/A


Module


BLDG501 Technology of Large and Innovative Buildings

20 Semester 1 Core

Compensatable

50% Examination

50% Coursework

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BLDG510 Property development and refurbishment 20 Semester 1

Core

Compensatable

50% Examination

50% Coursework

BLDG514

Quantity Surveying Principles 20 Semester 1

Core

Non Compensatable

50% Examination

50% Coursework

BLDG511

Building Services Engineering 20 Semester 2

Core

Compensatable

50% Examination

50% Coursework

BLDG506

Contract Procedures 20 Semester 2

Core

Compensatable

50% Examination

50% Coursework

BLDG508


Core

Compensatable

100% Coursework

FAPY200 Stage 2 Placement Preparation

0 - N/A N/A

Optional Industry Placement BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying

Module

Code Module Title Credit

FAPY602 Industry Placement N/A


Module


BLDG611* Research Methods in the Built Environment 20 Semester 1

Core

Compensatable

100% Coursework

BLDG612* Dissertation Project 20 Semester 2

Core

Compensatable

100% Coursework

BLDG603

Sustainable and Safe Construction 20 Semester 1

Core

Compensatable

50% Examination

50% Coursework

BLDG604

Building and Property Law 20 Semester 1

Core

Compensatable

50% Examination

50% Coursework

BLDG609


Core

Compensatable

100% Coursework

BLDG614

Quantity Surveying Professional Practice 20 Semester 2

Core

Non Compensatable

50% Examination

50% Coursework

* The 40 credits Dissertation Project is undertaken in two parts, involving both BLDG601 and BLDG602 modules.

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Students are expected to pass all modules in order to progress. No optional modules

exist, with the exception of the industrial placement.

Pass requirement for each module: ≥ 40% (Note: For CIVL102 there is a pass

requirement of ≥ 35% in coursework and examination elements, and ≥ 40 for the

overall module). Compensation is permitted in accordance with University of Plymouth

regulations. Please note that some modules re non compensatable. See tables above.

Degree Classifications

There are a number of degree classifications which can be granted on undergraduate

awards:

• Honours Degree – divided into the following categories: First Class

Honours; Second Class Honours, Upper Division; Second Class Honours,

Lower Division; Third Class Honours

• Degree with or without Distinction or Commendation.

Following a listening exercise with past and current students, and to reward students

for their work in the first year, the University has taken the step to include the best 80

credits of first year students’ marks to count for a total of 10 percent towards their final

degree classification. This approach was taken so that students who are still finding

their feet or struggle with a particular topic early in their University career won’t be

penalised for this in their final degree classification. While you need to pass, what this

means is the lowest 40 credits of your first year do not count. It is also worth

remembering that if you do not do well in terms of marks overall in the first year, this

does not mean that you cannot still achieve a good degree, as the second year counts

30 percent, and your final year 60 percent. Doing very well in the first year means you

have laid the foundation for your final degree classification.

Details of how your final degree classification is calculated are given in the University

of Plymouth Student Handbook.

7. Programme Aims

The specific aims of this Honours Degree are for students to demonstrate:

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding in a broad range of technical,

scientific, academic and professional subjects.

A potential to progress to professionally based employment and/or further

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academic study.

An appreciation of the role of construction in society and the environmental

aspects of construction.

Appropriate knowledge of construction and general management.

A range of key skills and subject specific competencies in preparation for

employment.

An ability to research, synthesise and evaluate data and to formulate

solutions.

8. Programme Intended Learning Outcomes

8.1. Knowledge and understanding

On successful completion graduates should have developed:

LO1. The fundamental concepts, principles and theories of construction and related technology. LO2. A comprehensive understanding of the construction industry. LO3. Detailed knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories related to quantity surveying. LO4. The professional and ethical responsibilities of quantity surveyors. 8.2. Cognitive and intellectual skills

On successful completion graduates should have developed the ability to:

LO1. Apply appropriate knowledge and skills to solve problems. LO2. Recognise and analyse criteria and specifications appropriate to specific construction problems, and plan strategies for their solution. LO3. Take a holistic approach to solving Quantity Surveying related problems applying professional judgement to balance risks, costs and benefits. LO4. Critically evaluate a range of possible built environment related issues and evidence to support conclusions and recommendations. 8.3. Key and transferable skills


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LO1. Communicate effectively in writing and verbally. LO2. Manage resources and time. LO3. Work both autonomously and as part of a team when required. LO4. Learn effectively including self-evaluation for the purpose of continuing professional development and in a wider context throughout their career. 8.4. Employment related skills

On successful completion graduates should have developed:

LO1. Initiative and personal responsibility. LO2. Effective communication and debating skills. LO3. The ability to make decisions based on in-complete information. LO4. A professional ethos. 8.5. Practical skills


LO1. Undertake core built environment skills; including land surveys, laboratory experiments and measurement of a variety of construction projects. LO2. Prepare technical reports and presentations. LO3. Apply cost modelling techniques to evaluate construction projects and consider them in the broader context of value and risk.

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9. Admissions Criteria, including APCL, APEL and DAS arrangements

Entry requirements

Stage 1 entry

UCAS tariff: 104 – 112

A level: BCC - BBC Including a minimum of 2 A Levels. General Studies accepted

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DMM

UAL Extended Diploma: Merit

International Baccalaureate: 26-28 points

Irish Highers: 104-112 points

Scottish Highers: 104-112 points

All Access courses: Pass a named Access to HE Diploma (e.g. Preferably Construction, Engineering or Combined) however will consider over subjects, (including GCSE English and Maths grade C/4 or above or equivalent) with at least 33 credits at Merit and/or distinction.

All relevant international qualifications will be considered.

Equivalent qualifications and industry experience can be considered. Stage 2 entry and transfer:

Succesful completion of an approved Foundation Degree or completion of Year 1 modules of a rellevant course will allow Stage Two Transfer.

Stage 3 entry:

Through an appropriate admissions process such as an interview, or portfolio of evidence, possible entry onto the final year.

10. Progression criteria for Final and Intermediate Awards

The University of Plymouth’s “Assessment Regulations for Undergraduate

Programmes of Study”, e.g. Foundation and Vocational Certificates and Diplomas will

apply.

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11. Non Standard Regulations

Minimum pass mark: For CIVL102 module, students must achieve a minimum of

35% in all module components in order to pass the module.

12. Transitional Arrangements

N/A at the time of writing.

Where students do find themselves in a transition situation, appropriate counselling

with the Programme Leader, senior administrators and Discipline Head will be

sought and an individual solution for each case applied.

Appendices

A. Programme Specification Mapping (UG) – core/elective modules

B. Operational Specification: mapping of Award Learning Outcomes

C. QAA Benchmark alignment.

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Appendix A: Programme Specification Mapping (UG): module contribution to the meeting of Award Learning Outcomes CORE MODULES:

Core Modules

Award Learning Outcomes contributed to (for more information see Section 8) Compensation Y/N

Assessment Element(s) and weightings [use KIS definition] E1- exam E2 – clinical exam T1- test C1- coursework A1 – generic assessment P1 - practical

Knowledge & understanding

Cognitive & intellectual skills

Key & transferable skills

Employment related skills

Practical skills

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3

Lev

el 4

BLDG406 Y C1, T1

BLDG402 Y C1, T1

BLDG407 Y C1, E1

BLDG404PP Y C1

BLDG405 Y C1

CIVL102 Y C1, T1

Level 4 Los

Lev

el 5

BLDG501 Y C1, E1

BLDG510 Y C1, E1

BLDG511 Y C1, E1

BLDG506 Y C1, E1

BLDG508 Y C1

BLDG514 N C1, E1

Level 5 Los

Lev

el 6

BLDG611 Y C1

BLDG612 Y C1

BLDG603 Y C1, E1

BLDG604 Y C1, E1

BLDG609 Y C1

BLDG614 N C1, E1

Level 6 LOs

Confirmed Award LOs

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Appendix B. Operational Specification: mapping of Award Learning Outcomes. Insert rows and columns as required.

Module Code

Le

ve

l

Cre

dits

C - c

ore

E - e

lectiv

e

Award Learning Outcomes (for more information see Section 8 of the Programme Specification) Please map where a module does one or more of the following: I – ALO is introduced P – ALO is practised (e.g. formative assessment and feedback; basis of tutorial or workshop) A –ALO is assessed

8.1 Knowledge & understanding

8.2 Cognitive & intellectual skills

8.3 Key & transferable skills

8.4 Employment related skills

8.5 Practical skills

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3

BLDG406 4 20 C I A A P I I A

BLDG402 4 20 C A A P P I I P

BLDG407 4 20 C I P A P P A A

BLDG404PP 4 20 C P P A I P

BLDG405 4 20 C P P A A A A P P P P A P A A A A

CIVL102 4 20 C A P P P A A A

BLDG501 5 20 C I A I A A P A

BLDG510 5 20 C A A P P A A P P P P A

BLDG511 5 20 C A P P P A P P P P A P

BLDG506 5 20 C I A A A A A A P P P A I A A

BLDG508 5 20 C I P A A P P A P A A A

BLDG514 5 20 C A A A A P P P P P A A

BLDG611 6 20 C A P P A A A P A

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BLDG612 6 20 C A P P A A A P A

BLDG603 6 20 C A I A A A A P A

BLDG604 6 20 C A A P A A P P A P A

BLDG609 6 20 C I P A A P P A P A A A

BLDG614 6 20 C A A A A P P P P P A A

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Appendix C. Alignment with QAA Benchmark, Land, Construction, Real Estate and Surveying October 2016. The subjects covered by this Statement are associated with the development of a sustainable built environment. The professions associated with these subjects have a vital role to play in shaping, maintaining and adapting the built environment, the property and buildings that exist within this environment, and thereby in influencing the quality of life and the way people live their lives. Land, Construction, Real Estate and Surveying represent major subjects involved in this process, but it is acknowledged that professionals working in these disciplines need to interact and work with those in related subjects, such as planners, engineers, designers and architects. As such, a key feature of the Statement is its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary character. Graduates from these programmes have a good understanding of the other subjects that support the process of planning, design, financing, construction, development, use and management of real estate and infrastructure. The QAA Benchmark has, in Section 4, Knowledge, understanding and skills set out under:

Subject-specific knowledge and understanding.

Generic Skills

Intellectual Skills

Practical Skills

Analytical and data interpretation skills.

Communication skills

Digital Literacy

Interpersonal and teamwork skills

Self-management and professional development skills

All of which have been considered in producing the learning outcomes within both the programme design and module delivery.

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Subject specific knowledge and understanding relating to Quantity Surveying are mapped below against the particular modules of the BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying programme.

QAA Subject Specific for Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management.

L4 Modules

L5 Modules

L6 Modules

demonstrate an awareness of the mainstream technology and the resources it uses for constructing domestic, industrial, commercial buildings and infrastructure

BLDG406

BLDG501

describe the impact development has on the environment and initiatives to minimise energy, reduce carbon emissions, protect and increase biodiversity, flood protection and increase health and well-being

BLDG407 BLDG511

demonstrate ability to measure and quantify to support the design process, production of project information and the commercial management of projects

BLDG405 BLDG514 BLDG508

BLDG609

demonstrate an appreciation of time, cost quality and value drivers affecting the design and construction and occupancy of buildings

BLDG509 BLDG614

demonstrate awareness of the legal and regulatory frameworks and systems impacting on the design and construction of buildings, and the principles of procurement and contract administration

BLDG506 BLDG614 BLDG603 BLDG604

demonstrate an awareness of digital technologies that support the construction process and the management of costs

BLDG404PP BLDG609

recognise the roles of other professionals and parties associated with construction, property and surveying throughout a buildings lifecycle and be aware of the benefits of collaborative practice


recognise the importance of professional ethics, their impact on the operation of the profession and their influence on society, conflict avoidance/dispute resolution, communities and the stakeholders with whom they have contact


demonstrate an understanding of the principles and processes that deliver an inclusive environment recognising the diversity of user needs by putting people (of all ages and abilities) at the heart of the commercial management and quantity surveying process.

BLDG402 BLDG508 BLDG609 BLDG614

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